In a historic moment for hip-hop, Nicki Minaj became the first female rapper to address the United Nations (U.N.) on Tuesday, using the platform to demand urgent action regarding the violence in Nigeria.
The “Pinkprint” megastar was invited to speak on the issue after publicly endorsing a social media statement made earlier this month by former President Donald Trump, who had claimed Christians were being murdered in Nigeria simply for their faith.
During her speech, Minaj spoke in a soft, gentle tone, admitting she felt nervous at the start. However, she firmly pressed the U.N. to intervene in the killings, expressing her hope that African regions would achieve the same religious freedom enjoyed in the U.S.
Minaj was invited to the U.N. by U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz, and the occasion was described as a bipartisan effort.
Navigating Political Waters
Despite being invited on the heels of supporting Trump’s comments, Minaj was careful to maintain political neutrality. Later in her speech, she thanked her loyal fanbase, the “Barbz,” for their support but reiterated that she is not taking sides politically.
The context of the violence in Nigeria remains complex. While the former U.S. President has issued a warning to the Nigerian government regarding attacks on Christians (a threat Minaj appears to support), Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has previously pointed out that people “across faiths and regions” have faced violence in the country, which is roughly evenly split between Christian and Muslim populations. Recent reports indicate that victims of both faiths have endured brutal attacks across Nigeria this year.
Minaj, a proud New Yorker, was seen gathering her thoughts before entering the building but ultimately rose to the occasion, standing tall on the demand for safety and religious liberty.